Records, CD’s, and Collectibles

Yesterday (Saturday, October 25, 2008) was Missing Link’s last brick-and-mortar retail day.

Our retail store at 4905 N. College is now closed. I’d like to thank the many thousands of customers who have supported us across the years, as well as the fine staffers, past and present.  In particular I’d like to thank our final team of Liz, Dave, Bo, Eric and Ryan, who did a great job and will be sorely missed.

It’s been quite a fine 15 years.  When we opened up in 1993 at 4022 S. Shelby Street, the record industry was in turmoil.  CD’s had already supplanted vinyl records, but there was still demand for cassette tapes as well as records.  Stores didn’t know what to do; it was too expensive to carry all three formats with any depth.

So most stores dumped vinyl altogether to make room for the shiny new digital CD format.  It was hard, then, to find many stores that had any vinyl records.  That was why we jumped in, at leat in part.  We wanted to be the best vinyl option.  We wanted to offer a great selection of used and collectible records, along with a deep selection of indies, punk and other new vinyl.

Little did we know that the turmoil in the business back then was a tempest in a teapot compared to today.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions, but it’s time to hang up the turntable.  Time to reflect on what has been, and move on to other things.Our eBay store remains open, as do our five antique malls (Shadeland/Peddler’s Mall/Midland Art & Antiques/Exit 76 in Edinburgh/Noblesville Antique Mall).  The newest spot at Midland features some nice collectibles along with the usual bargain fare.

If you need to contact us, please don’t call our phone number.  Instead, email me at rick@missinglinkrecords.com.

Thanks again for memories that will last a lifetime.

- Rick

Beginning Monday, September 22, we will observe new fall/winter hours at our main location at 4905 N. College Avenue.  We’ll be open Monday - Saturday 12-7 and closed on Sundays.  We will not be open Sunday, September 21.

Hours at our antique mall locations are of course determined by the malls and will not be affected by this.

Our eBay store will remain open 24/7/365 for your shopping pleasure.

With the addition of the Midland Arts & Antiques Mall near downtown Indy, we are now in five antique malls in Central Indiana.  Other malls include the downtown Noblesville Antique Mall, Exit 76 Antique Mall in Edinburg, Peddler’s Mall on East Washington near I 465 and Shadeland Antique Mall at 34th and Shadeland.

The Midland booth is on the second floor on the south end of the building.  Many rare collector’s items are on display at Midland, along with a new 99 cent section.

Although vinyl is cooler than ever, we still have, well, more than we’ll ever sell.  So the boss sez:  move it out!

YOU good customers are the winners.  For the rest of the summer (and maybe beyond!) you get a free used item with any purchase.  You know how it works, buy one get one free, equal or lesser value.  Used items only.  But hey, that’s the majority of what we have, so go like crazy!

Important note:  we are putting out new arrivals as quick as we can.  We’ll keep the bins fresh.  Promise!

We just got a huge shipment of punk, hardcore, and metal releases in, so come and check out what we have! Some truly stellar titles to heat up your summer listening experience!

The massive flooding that has occurred in Central Indiana today combined with the fact that I have been moving my home (and record collection) made me think about the fragility of vinyl records.  Although they are in some ways as tough as nails–i love finding a vintage 50’s lp or pre-war 78 and popping it on the turntable, confident that it will sound nearly as good as new if it’s been properly cared for.

It’s that proper care that can be so difficult.

In ancient Greece, there were four basic elements:  Earth, Water, Air and Fire.  The bad news is that two of those four are pretty much fatal when it comes to records.

The word of the day is water, as in flooding, as in basement/home flooding.  A wet lp cover is all but ruined unless it is pulled from the water and dried within moments of it getting wet.  Once the water soaks into the cardboard cover, it’s junk.

The good news in this is that the records can be saved, usually they are not much affected by water, though the paper labels may be damaged.  You can clean records with a little distilled water and a terrycloth, or better yet, get some professional cleaning supplies here or stop by Missing Link’s brick and mortar store.  Dry ‘em in a dish drainer!  This works especially well for 78’s and 45’s, where the covers aren’t usually a critical part of the package.  An underwater lp collection, however, has lost most of its value when the covers are ruined.

When it comes to fire aka heat, it’s the actual vinyl that is so vulnerable.  Vinyl likes to be kept cool.  Obviously a fire is a disaster, but when you transport vinyl by car in warm weather, you have to be careful.  I have found that the trunk is the very best place for records on a hot day, but if it’s sunny and over 80 you shouldn’t leave them in the trunk for more than an hour or so.  Avoid placing vinyl on car seats.  That’s about the hottest place in a car and the windows magnify the sun’s rays, focusing heat on the seats and adjacent areas.  If you must place them in a car, best to cover them up with a blanket and put them on the floor of the back seat.  Again, you can’t do this for long.  But don’t let warm weather discourage you from shopping at the good ole record store, flea market, or garage sale.

Well, we couldn’t do buy one-get one free forever, but we do have some hellacious sales going on in June:

M/W/F-buy one used item 14.99 and under, get one free (lesser/equal)
T/R-20% all items (NEW or used!)
F/S/SU-25% off all used music and video

Plus, we admit:  we used the May sales to clear out some old merch.  Which means that we didn’t put out all that much new.  So now, here comes lots of new stuff.  Does that help?

We had such fun a couple of weeks ago on the first annual National Record Store Day that we decided to declare (for ourselves anyway) that May is Record Store Month at Missing Link.

What’s that mean?

Mostly, that we’re offering an unbeatable deal for the entire month of May: Buy one used item, get one free (equal or lesser value)! Nothing excluded. No limit, etc.

Vinyl people, start your engines!

Incredibly, this is what the record industry is now saying. Though it’s gotten very little notice due to the holidays, the RIAA (Record Industry Association) is attempting to prosecute an individual for transferring music from a legally purchased CD to their own PC. Unfrickingbelievable.

It’s indisputable that the music industry–labels and stores especially–has been hurt by illegal downloading and other technological advances that make it easy to transfer files.

But let’s get real. A critical part of the musical experience is, and has always been, the ability to record and timeshift music so that we can listen in cars, portable devices, whatever.

I am no fan of the RIAA. They do not represent the interests of anyone except very large label conglomerates who are trying to squeeze the life from music.

And remember who came up with the idea of killing the difficult-to-copy vinyl format with the ultimate portable format–digital CD’s? Yup. The big bad RIAA and the record industry, because they wanted to sell us all the music we’d already purchased on vinyl, cassette and 8-Track on the technologically “superior” CD format. And at twice the price, of course.

The RIAA will lose this case and others like it. They must know this, unless they have already rigged the US Supreme Court. It could happen.

Regardless, we music lovers must stand up and be counted. Tonight, I implore you. Record something to your computer, your IPOD, your laptop. Duplicate a CD for your own personal use. Make a cassette tape of your favorite lp. Or an 8 track. Download something. from Musical Family Tree, or whever you like to get fresh music.

Do it for the music.

And for our ever-diminishing rights as citizens of an increasingly creepy corporatized country.

Thanks for being a music fan. And Happy New Year.

Rick Wilkerson
Owner, Missing Link Records